It was right here in this place. It was not that long ago. Across the field but face to face stood soldiers row on row.

Proudly wearing blue or gray, their flags against the sky - it was a day much like today. They stood prepared to die.

Text and images by Linda Walcroft

American soldiers fought and died in places like Manassas and Fredericksburg - places through which I travel all the time. My home state is Virginia, where reminders of our horrendous war are everywhere. Place names, historic buildings, battlefields, and cemeteries all present the reality of a huge conflict. In spite of urban sprawl, many battlefields are preserved in their historical appearance. There I sometimes pause to wonder at the terrible carnage that people inflicted upon each other - and realize that the American Civil War was not that long ago. This is not ancient history, and the effects of this war are still with us today.

These pages reflect 20 seasons of field trips taken as part of a class with Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus. Our leader is Professor Charles P. Poland; the course is "Advanced Civil War."